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Essex St Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Grocery, Specialty Food [Edit]
120 Essex St(between Delancey St & Rivington St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 388-0449
- Nearest Transit:
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Delancey St (F)
Essex St (J, M, Z)
2 Av (F)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 7 pm
Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
84 reviews for Essex St Market
Review Highlights
"3 for such fresh and reasonably priced produce."
(in 32 reviews)
"Great place and hasn't lost it's LES charm."
(in 17 reviews)
"The mouth watering crunch of Pig Candy at Roni Sue's."
(in 4 reviews)
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84 reviews in English
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Review from Megan D.
New York, NY
1/22/2012
This place is amazing.
Delicious, fresh, inexpensive seafood. ($15 for 8 oz of tilapia, a lb of scallops, and a dozen clams?!) Big thumbs up to New Star and Rainbo's for helping me easily work more fish dinners into my diet.
Amazingly rich cheeses at Formaggio Essex with cheesemongers who both know their cheeses and are happy to take the time to make your order perfect. Side note: Don't just stop at the cheeses. Their pickles, jams, crackers, and chocolates are also epically delicious! Oh oh oh! And at closing time, if you're lucky, they might just be giving away some sandwiches left over from the day's service. Worth a look if you happen to be there around 7...)
Ridiculously fresh, crusty, grainy breads that revolutionize any sandwich or breakfast plate available at Pain D'Avignon. Everyone in my apartment gets excited when someone brings home a loaf of their multi-grain bread or a fresh baguette to serve with soup. Oh, and they often have little samples on their counter. Check them out!
Looking to cook an amazing steak for dinner? Luis Meat Market has exceptional cut of meat, chicken, pork, veal, you name it, and again, for very reasonable prices. If you want your meat to be the star of your meal, the guys here will absolutely hook you up.
And finally, I don't know their name, but the grocers by the far left entrance of the market have wonderfully fresh produce at insanely cheap prices. I always leave this place shocked at how low my bill was, especially compared to my usual produce shopping at Whole Foods. I will never buy produce anywhere else.
The only negatives for me are the hours (they close at 7 on weekdays and 6 on weekends), which often makes it hard to get there if you have things going on during the day. Also of note, some of the individual vendors start to close up shop a little before closing, so you've really got to get there about 30 minutes before closing to make sure you get the full experience. Also, some of the more basic groceries, like cereal, can be a little more expensive here. I tend to save those purchases for someplace where I can find them on sale. Finally, while they have a little bit of everything, the variety isn't great. I often have a hard time finding whole wheat pastas, low fat/fat free cheeses, a particularly brand of food I like, etc. So again, I tend to save these items for a larger grocery store where there tends to be more variety.
BUT, any time I am looking for cheese, bread, fish, meat, or produce, I look no further than Essex Market. For the price and the quality, this place really can't be beat! -
Review from Michelle W.
New York, NY
1/5/2012
I love markets and fairs and all that good stuff, but this place just doesn't do it for me.
Yes, they sell some cool stuff like good bread and fresh meat/fish and sliced cold cuts, but at a very premium price that my thrifty self just can't see spending. Granted the food is probably much better, but is it really worth it?
Not a huge fan of this place and there really isn't any excitement that comes with this market. -
Review from Athena C.
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
We often overlook old markets because they appear dim, dirty and slightly outdated. However, Essex Market is standing still even though after years of establishment.
They have everything from fruit, fresh bread, coffee, meat and seafood, grocery to desserts.
The price here is very competitive and is one of the few places in the city you feel less corporate but more local warmth.
I enjoy grocery shopping here and handpick my own stuff. It gives me a sense of pride being a LES resident. -
Review from Elaine H.
Manhattan, NY
12/11/2011
After a delicious brunch at Fatta Cuckoo and browsing the neighborhood I not been to for a few years my plan was to browse the shops in The Essex Street Market which was clean, airy and well lit. I had a good time checking out all the different, somtimes odd and some new to me merchandise that are sold there.
Meats of all species, fish, cheese, fruits, vegetables, baked goods and places to get a bite to eat while you shop. The prices were very reasonable for the fresh quality of the items, I got 4 1lb. packages of sweet juicy strawberries for 2 for $3 and had I been going directly home I saw plenty of other items I would've gotten, but this is going to be a place I will be visiting a lot.
There are a lot of eateries and other shops that I want to visit that I saw in this area. If you're looking for a place to spend some time go down and check out lower east side it's really bustling down there again.
Check out: http://lowereastsideny...
http://lower-east-side...
http://lowereastside.n... -
Review from martha m.
8/23/2011
The only good part of this place was the Cheesemonger; no wonder it's right by the entry--to lure you in!
Other than that, this place was pretty depressing; I felt like I was in a grocery store in a third world Caribbean country. The market smelled, was poorly lit, the floor was inexplicably wet and slimy, and there was a fucking voodoo stand/cage at the market. Ok, fine, the cage was kinda of intriguing, but just added to my confusion about what this place is--is it a market? A grocery store? A voodoo site? A garage? -
Review from Diana Z.
Manhattan, NY
11/15/2011
What a great experience! There were so many products to choose from, and at decent prices. It was also nice to find so many exotic and foreign ingredients you don't generally get at the grocery store. The two highlights of my time there, however, were the insanely amazing tacos I bought from Brooklyn Taco Company, which is stationed at the market, and the bacon caramels I bought from the butcher's station. Highly recommended!
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Review from Pearl H.
Long Island City, NY
Updated - 5/31/2011
I love the bodegas in the market, the fruits are so cheap, I usually get a large sized fruit salad for $4! If i were to go to any other market it would probably cost me $10+.
They have full groceries, speciality shops of all kinds from the cheesemonger, to smoothies, etc!
Great place and hasn't lost it's LES charm.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/30/2009
I love the Essex Market! I just wish they were open later than to 7pm, but they technically close… Read more »
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Review from Ron C.
The LES is an awesome area. This might be one of my favorite spots in the city. No day is complete without stopping in and checking out the fresh produce, meats and even coffee. The Essex St Market reminds me of the Palengke in the Philippines. You can get anything and there is always something fresh for you to snack on.
I stopped in the other day to get a drink. I left with a drink and fruit salad. total was only $3.00. That's it! The fruit was fresh and tasted good in the 73 degree weather that we had. Nothing feels better than walking around the LES, seeing the street art and eating some fruit. That made my work day much better and made my night even more fun. -
Review from Jess L.
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
*** 3.5 stars ***
I was here in the middle of a work day, so it wasn't too crowded or overwhelming - though about a quarter of the businesses were closed.
Anwyay, after all I had heard about Essex St. Market, I was surprised by how many stands sold traditional, regular food. It made me think one might do their weekly grocery shopping here!
Of course, I found it more intriguing to check out the more unique and coveted items, like fine chocolates, perfect eggplants, and Greek pastries. Yum. Of course, you can't miss the fish and meats, too.
I'd say there are plenty of other indoor markets with more charm, but, nonetheless, this was a solid NYC experience. -
Review from Pamela S.
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great spot.
Good product.
Interesting ingredients.
Must try the bread kiosk in the back. Delish to the last crumb. Also, try the bacon candy.
They are now open 7 days a week. -
Review from D V.
New York, NY
5/9/2011
Man, a city as great as NYC, and this is the market we come up with? Grand Central is better than this, and that's not much of a market so much as a Whole Foods. I'd rather be at Whole Foods than Essex Market - it's bigger and cleaner with more selection. It's not like Essex Street market is that bad, but I wouldn't trek more than 5 minutes to get here.
Iin the grand scheme of things, Essex St. does not compare at all to the Pikes Place, Reading Terminal, St. Lawrence, Ferry Terminal, Tsukiji, and Las Ramblas markets of the world. It isn't even close. Go to Arthur Avenue Market in the Bronx if you must - at least that's a *real* market. -
Review from Wendy S.
Manhattan, NY
9/24/2011
AT SAXELBY CHEESE, I purchased a $20 bottle of vinegar. It was RANCID.
I returned it to the shop as quickly as possible, a week later, and I was told it tasted great by the man behind the counter. That was it. Too bad for me. No service whatsoever.
I've never written a review before but I am appalled and horrified by the lack of service.
Appalling. -
Review from JP B.
Updated - 1/12/2011
The last city operated retail market in Manhattan? It has the beat in feel of a New Deal era market originally designed to get pushcart vendors off the streets of the LES, and has operated continuously since. Jeffrey the Butcher stands in the same stall where his grandfather stood. But the market has changed to reflect the neighborhood: Latino greengrocers operate next to artisinal gourmet shops selling cheeses, some of the best bread in the neighborhood, hand made chocolates, locally roasted coffee and various imported goodies. One stall is a Greek bakery, another an electronics repair shop. Two fishmongers, another butcher and a more upscale greengrocer round things out. Not to mention Shopsins.
To me it's the perfect balance of new and old, posh and discount, gourmet and grandma's kitchen - all under one roof. Places like this exist in other cities around the world, but this is the only one in NYC, and it clearly reflects the past and present of the neighborhood. It's a treasure, if beat in and a little chaotic. This place has personality, which seems to be fast disappearing in this town.
Now rumors are swirling about it's possible demise or relocation. I recommend getting your butt here as fast as you can. It may or may not be your cup of tea, but it's a living bit of Lower East Side history that may not be around for much longer. And for me it's one hell of a fun place to shop!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2008
Easy to miss and confusing to navagate, this market was established by LaGuardia back in the day to… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan G.
Verona, NJ
8/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
If not for general cleanliness, Essex Street Market is a true paradise. Barring everything that is actually inside, if you need to get out of the heat in the summer or the cold in the winter, there is no shame in coming in here to check it out. You will probably end up leaving with something.
The antithesis to Whole Foods, Essex Street Market is a conglomeration of random vendors and confusing wares and that is what makes it so good. You could actually pull all of this off inside the Essex Street Market in under 30 minutes if you wanted to:
Go comparison cheese shopping (Saxelby's is my favorite, but there is also Formaggio if you feel the need to double-up)
Eat a phenomenal breakfast and then get told to fuck off and die without it disrupting how good the food just was (Shopsin's)
Get a bag of chocolate-covered bacon aka pig candy (Roni Sue's)
Get a haircut (Aminova's)*
Do all your grocery shopping (assorted)
See an art show (Cuchifritos)
Eat a fish sandwich (I am not sure which place it actually comes from, but it is right near the door closest to Rivington and the sandwiches are excellent and only like $4)
Fresh juice (Tra La La)
Places like this seem to only exist at weekend flea markets and you have to appreciate the confusing and random nature of this particular selection of businesses to truly understand its importance on the LES. If you need almost anything, you can probably find it here, somewhere, behind something.
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* I rarely use text acronyms, but really - WTF? A haircut in here.Listed in: The LES
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Review from Bethany P.
New York, NY
10/29/2010
This is not a commentary on the vendors of the market just the market as a whole.
I hate to give a less than flattering review to small businesses and markets but I can't tell a lie.
It's small, dark, and to be honest kind of dirty. I'm not usually a germaphobe but if food is going to be sitting out and displayed I want the area around it to look pristine.
I was turned off by the run down look of the place. It desperately needs a face-lift and fast. Some of the vendors inside are actually offering some delicious products. The Pain d"Avignon bread company is outstanding. Some of the cheeses are good and the baked goods are good for a sugar fix.
I hope management does the vendors a favor and overhauls the look of the place. -
Review from Shawn A.
Astoria, NY
8/3/2010
Teleportation. Of all things sci-fi, that's probably one of my favorite concepts. What's not to love? You stand in place A, some sparkly lights, then BOOM, rocking out in place B.
It's up there with flying cars when it comes to my daily life disappointments. Or at least it WAS, until I found what I'm pretty sure is a working teleporter on Essex Street.
You're walking through Gentrificationville aka the Lower East Side, and then you step through a doorway that lands you somewhere else entirely different, and entirely awesome.
Seriously, I had no idea places like this still existed in the city. I mean, I saw markets like this in Nicaragua and China, but I was not expecting this when I was told we were running out to the Essex Street Market to stock up on some BBQ essentials.
I was ready for Chelsea Market II: Electric Boogaloo.
But it's not. The competing stalls of produce and assorted other groceries stand as a proud testament to the area's history, and its a real boon for the neighborhood that its still standing and thriving. -
Review from Romano C.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
7/4/2011
It's better than a bodega but it is cramped, smelly and while there are plenty of vegetables, only a small percentage are truly fresh. Jeffrey's Meat is closed and that used to add points to this place but the other butcher there is not up to par with what a good NYC butcher is. The Cheesemonger is nice and there is a small bakery in the back that is decent but could use a friendlier staff. The location is littered with social parasites and other assorted urban nuisances. Outside is not particularly safe and it is across the street from North America's worst McDonald's.
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Review from Lauren L.
Manhattan, NY
5/22/2010
It smells.
Sometimes the selection is limited.
HOWEVER, the prices can't be beat on most items and the produce/meats/bread are exceptional. The produce at all the vendors always looks wonderful and Jeffrey's Meat Market is basically giving the meat away (and it's good meat too, not scary discolored fatty meat), plus there's the fresh bread shop.
EDIT: RIP Jeffrey's Meat Market :( I miss it.
I also got a 32 oz jar of chopped garlic here for like $2 today. Seriously, this place is so inexpensive and wonderful for fresh food. Glad I live right around the corner! -
Review from Sophia L.
New York, NY
10/25/2010
I'm very weird with smells. (yeah smellSSS)
I wanna hurl when I smell old books, old museums, certain types of plastic, pork, leather...
When I was younger, I could not eat if my Barbie doll was visible to me.
Bc I didn't like how her hair smelled.
And if I ate something while looking at her, it would feel like I'm eating her hair.
So my sister had go and cover all my Barbie dolls with a blanket or take them out of the room.
(Thanks Crusty Crustacean!!)
You know that smell when you walked inside your classroom on the first day of elementary school?
The smell of ammonia and Play Doh?
That's what it smelled like as soon as I stepped inside the Essex Market.
And that smell is fine when you walk into a school.
I don't have a problem with that.
I actually like that smell.
But I do not like that smell when I walk into a food market.
That's just wrong.
How am I supposed to sample cheese and wine when I smell Play Doh and Pine Sol?
Bc that would mean I'm sampling Play Doh and drinking Pine Sol.
We took no more than 5 steps inside the door, and we had to do an about-face.
Lighten up on the floor cleaner and Play Doh, please? -
Review from B. H.
New York, NY
8/15/2011
I'm a fan. Come here for ridiculously inexpensive, awesome produce (from the last market on the north end of the store), great fresh bread (pain d'avignon), awesome cheeses (two stands), and the basics. To those who say it's dirty, I disagree: It's not antiseptic. To the reviewer below who said he'd rather go to Whole Foods: by all means, please do. It was Whole Foods--not Essex St. Market--where I purchased fish with living, writhing worms in it.
While I am guilty of shopping at the anxiety-inducing,-overpriced-hipster-Walmart-fashi on-runway-Resort-2012-collection-cattleherd-SCENE known as Whole Foods (typically when Essex--which has full-time job unfriendly hours--is closed), for me, it's so much more rewarding to stroll through the different booths to cobble together a meal. -
Review from Corina L.
Queens, NY
8/2/2010
10 REASONS WHY I LOVE ESSEX ST. MARKET:
1. It's indoors!
2. AC is always good on smoldering hot summer days.
3. CHOCOLATE SHOP. NUMMZ.
4. They have a cute religious gift shop that has things for just about every religion.
5. Cute bakery!
6. All the vendors are soooo friendly. Love!
7. Produce is super fresh! I bought a plum and they even washed it for me since I was going to eat it right away.
8. Prices are better than most places (Whole Foods screw you).
9. They have ethnic/exotic food staples!
10. I want to kiss the muffin man. -
Review from Peter D.
3/30/2010 8 Check-ins Here
If you can get there when they're open (before 7 pm, Mon-Sat), and you can deal with a little filth,* this place is great. Instead of one large unit, the market is made up of many little stands, each peddling their own wares. But between them all, you can buy pretty much anything you'd want. And a lot of stuff you probably don't want.
You can get awesome bread, stinky cheese, fresh fruit, cheap vegetables, meats ranging from the mundane (ground beef, strip steaks) to the slightly strange (homemade blood sausage, tripe, etc.), all sorts of coffee, fish, and more. Hell, you can get a haircut in here if you want.
And Shopsin's is in the back.
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*It generally stinks in here. Also, as I contemplated getting a completely overpriced fish taco at one end of the market, I watched a rat run under their booth. I decided not to get the taco. -
Review from luis z.
Middle Village, NY
2/18/2011
will start with one minus-is a little dark & could use some overall brightening.
The main plusses-inexpensive produce with very good quality
-Desserts,breads & chocolates are AWESOME! Ronnie Sues chocolates (& pies now also,hurray!),greek bakery in front (2nd aisle) has delicious pastries.They are diverse & tasty-talented,pretty baker explains everything in tasty treats
-Great mix of many beverages -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2008
So after surviving the maddening "Sell, SELL, SEEEELLL?!!?!??" war zone that is NY's Chinatown area, my friend and I needed to grab some groceries for a din din party she was attending this eve. And so we decided to hit Essex since the reviews were high and it sounded like a neat place to tool around in.
Once we arrived, I was kinda surprised at how small it was. Guess we were both imagining something bigger and I pictured something more like Grand Central Market in Downtown LA. Regardless though, they had tons of fresh veggies, meat counters, fishies and a cheese shop, which, let's face it, if you have cheese in your establishment, you are good in my book.
After she gathered her goodies for dinner we headed back into the jungle, but for less than $10 and walking out with 3 bags of stuff, ummm, sign me up!Listed in: New York Shopping!
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Review from Joely P.
New York, NY
4/9/2010
Another place in my hood, but it's worth the trip even if you don't live here.
Cash only: ...great prices, produce, meat markets, and coffee.....
the old school way to shop. -
Review from Jonathan L.
New York, NY
1/13/2010 4 Check-ins Here
As much as I love going to try new restaurants and return to my favorites, I've been totally bit by the cooking bug over the past few years. Grocery shopping in the city is stupid pricey and if you're a Whole Foods custy, you're sure to drop more then going out to dine. If you want to buy quality produce, fresh fish, hit the butcher, and get some cupboard staples, Essex Market can be your 1 stop shopping destination.
I just came back from here and spent less then $30 and got enough food for 2 family style meals this week (roasted Italian pork sandwiches "Philly" stylee, and a nice 2 lb filet of salmon for my panko-buffalo sauce face melting special). I also got spices, both fresh and dry, sharp provolone for the pork sandwiches, produce to accompany both meals, and various cupboard staples. Jeffrey's Meat is awesome (though his chicken is WAY overpriced), but for steaks and pork ($1.50 a lb for pork shoulder), it's amazing. The Asian produce section is bomb and they're constantly restocking with freshies.
There is another butcher (Spanish?) besides for Jeffrey. Two separate fish mongers, and two huge areas for produce - one has an amazing array of peppers. The thing I really love about this market is it's diversity and how it truly embodies the LES spirit. Asians, Italians, Jews, Spaniards all selling their goods side by side. Sprinkle in the new(er) artisanal cheese shops, chocolatiers, and there really is something special about this place. There is something for everyone, and you don't get butt raped at the register a la Whole Food$. -
Review from Daniel X.
Brooklyn, NY
11/24/2006
Reminds me of the street markets in Hong Kong, except indoors. It's a wonderful lil' environment that I'm quite fond of. It's mostly groceries and meats, but there's some other seemingly-out-of-place stores including a tailor shop, a repair shop, an art gallery and some sort of record store/flower shop.
There's also a barbershop there. It's just one barber and one seat. I've heard some stories about the guy, most of which are along the lines of "brilliant but crazy". I've never tried it though, I usually don't let crazy people with scissors touch my head. -
Review from William B.
Brooklyn, NY
3/10/2009
If you want to know where to find the good food, ask the locals and in this case you may have to break out your spanish.
First thing you notice when you walk in here is all the locals shopping. This part of the LES has a very hispanic/cuban population(as evident by strolling down clinton street) and a lot of them seem to shop here.
I like this place because its not your traditional grocery store. Lots of produce, meats(poultry, fish, etc), fruit you name it.
It's a little confusing at very because there seems to be a lot of overlap between the different vendors or whatever you want to call them.
Prices are pretty good, get three lbs of chicken breast for just over 6 bucks.
For fish I stick to the outside people on grand street but I will def be checking this place out more often for some of those things that I wanted fresher then path mark but not as costly as whole foods.
PS: some of the vendors only take cash... -
Review from Michael D.
Forest Hills, NY
9/13/2008
The Swiss Army Knife of indoor markets.
Yes, there's your requisite produce, meat and seafood vendors...But also a barber (!), a Tailor (!), an art gallery (!) and sundry other unexpected businesses.
This venerable market has been around since the days of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (the guy the airport was named after).
Oh, it's had its ups and downs -- It was almost closed by the Health Department in the mid-1990s and the vendors had dwindled significantly.
But it cleaned up its act and bounced back. Today, it's a distinctly New York mix of humble vendors selling things like 5 limes for a dollar, or yellow onions for .69 cents/lb side-by-side with gourmet cheese shops and chocolatiers selling chocolate-covered bacon for $38/lb.
I could see where people might visit for the first time and be disappointed that the lights aren't bright enough, the paint not fresh enough, the produce not spiffy enough. Don't be. It's a living, breathing piece of a vital Lower East Side. And, if you dont care about that, it's got lots of good deals, to boot. -
Review from Carmela R.
New York, NY
11/21/2009
When I can't get to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, this is where I shop.
It's in my neighborhood and for the most part, everything I've ever
purchased here has been fresh and good quality. Fruits, veggies, meats, fish and packaged goods too. Jeffrey's Meat stand and some of the fish areas are excellent. Recently discovered Roni Sue's homemade chocolates which are wonderfully rich in texture and flavor. I'm also psyched that there is a Porto Rico Importing Co booth for coffee and teas, albeit small, but who cares, it's here. I don't have to take my tired butt to St. Mark's if I don't want to. This morning I tried a cup of their seasonal pumpkin spice blend and it was aromatic and perfectly balanced.
There is gourmet cheese booth, fresh variety of breads and so much more! -
Review from Rell L.
New York, NY
7/20/2007
I try to support the mom and pop shops in this market as often as possible and hope that others will do the same.
Good produce for cheap. 2 seafood spots, always fresh. GOYA products for days if you cook Latin American.
But the best things are
1) Jeffery the butcher. Genuinely nice guy who loves to talk about and really knows his meat.
2) the sandwich guy across from Jeffery that makes killer gourmet-like sandwiches.
3) Saxelby's Cheese. Always nice and helpful. Very happy people.
Haven't tried Shopsin's yet but I will soon.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Anna B.
New York, NY
9/30/2007
I love the Lower East Side. (and I am far from being a hipster)
My friend Nancy recommended the market to me, and I went. WOW. It is narrow & crowded. Best to go on a weekday. I love Jeffrey's I bought hangar steak from Jeffrey himself, and he knows his beef.
If I lived on the LES, I'd have done more shopping, but as I only occasionally cat sit there, I kept my purchases to a minimum. There is a large Spanish grocery market, some nice produce, two fish stands, a cheese shop, a fresh pasta shop, a sandwich shop, a barber, a kosher wine shop and more. All in a pretty small space. I love it - a jampacked jewelbox of a city market. Essex Street Market helps to define NYC for me.Listed in: Why I love NYC
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Review from Jason V.
6/23/2010 1 photo
Whoa, wha happen heah? Dis is NAWT da Essex Mawket of my yout! Or my youth, either.
At LEAST, it's still a spot to get decent goods for cheap prices.
So, it's cleaned up and shiny now. It's got that faint whiff of bleach and Fantastik in the air mixing in with the scents of the fruits and vegetables and fresh seafoods in the stalls inside. It combines with the smells of stinky artisan cheeses, baked sweet treats, coffee and soups.
It's kinda all over the place, to keep it real with ya. I mean, it's pretty much a bodega for 90% of its interior mass- you can get a pupusa, a can of Fanta, a box of Brillo pads and a bag of beans anywhere so why does this great space have to be so damn disappointing in its options?
I get the convenience for those who live on the LES, but it's just a bodega with a fancy cheese store, a tiny art gallery and that-guy-from-Seinfeld's crappy and overrated soup&sammich shop tacked awkwardly onto one end.
If the city poured a few more mil into developing the space it could be truly great. It's so damn next to the Delancey St. subway station and even easy to drive to (there's cheap parking right across Essex).
One day this will all be Chinatown, so I guess I should be glad that something that's been around in NYC for over 70 years is still thriving, but the Essex St. Market needs to get with the times and reinvent to attract the new denizens of the LES and Willyburg, too. -
Review from Jennifer W.
Buffalo, NY
11/5/2008
I'm sad to read in the other reviews that this type of market isn't all over Manhattan. My stay in the LES is coming to an end, and I anticipated shopping adventures like these in other neighborhoods I will be staying in.
It's a great little market that fulfilled all of my grocery needs while I was here. They have a great selection of veggies, meats, cheeses and healthy pantry staples. And the prices were not bad either.
My only complaint is the hours. In a city that never sleeps, why must they close at 7 and not be open at all on Sunday? -
Review from Vivian H.
1/4/2010
I just wandered in here this past Saturday b/c it was sooo damn cold outside, but what a nice surprise. Its an indoor market with many different vendors including:
Shopsin's (a small eatery that has been a popular place for yelpers)
Porto Rico Importing Co. (coffee and tea on the go)
Roni-Sue Chocolates (bacon buttercrunch + Chile Lover's collection)
Barber Shop
Santa Lucia Religious (it was a bit creepy for me)
2 Fresh Fish Markets
A few Grocery Stores
Its nice to see places like this that are still thriving. It was interesting to see ethnic grocers working side by side with more posh stores. But hey it worked. You can get all your gorcery needs here. Too bad I live so far away ;-( -
Review from Lily M.
New York, NY
11/25/2009
I really don't know why I have taken so long to shop here. And frankly, having been in here this past week I don't know why anyone shops down the street at the overpriced and overwhelming Whole Foods.
+3 for such fresh and reasonably priced produce
+2 for multiple full service meat counters
+1 for not being an overpriced yuppie dumping ground like the Whole Foods down the block
-3 for having multiple fishmongers selling all red-listed unsustainable seafood. Boo!
If you live in this area (or don't, like me) you should give this place a try, just avoid the fish counters. -
Review from Tempest B.
New York, NY
12/30/2006
Went to this place on a lark one Friday after reading about it online. Great little indoor market! It reminds me of the kind of places you'll find in old downtowns all over the country. Outside of NYC they're usually the last place where one can get 'market' goods. In NYC not so much, but it's still great.
Love the crepe guy. He's funny and his crepes are wonderful. The little booth selling cheese and chocolates carries some yummy stuff. And the produce here is top-notch. There are several ready-to-eat places inside and a seating area so you can sample some good eats.
I wouldn't make a special trip to come here. I am in this area often enough (for Fried Dumpling) that I'll pop over here as well. If you live or work nearby, definitely make this place a regular stop. If you don't, visit at least once, you may find some surprising culinary treats. -
Review from Gina S.
Madison, WI
6/20/2007
The people that sell produce and seafood are really nice, helpful, and fast. There are a wide range of those items + world-class cheese and meats. Prices are affordable and the food is fresh (unlike WholeFoods where only the latter is true).
I find this place especially good for shopping if you're living alone and/or cooking for yourself because you can buy as little or as much of the produce/seafood/meat as you want, which allows purchases of small portions.
Less important reasons I'm not giving it 5 stars: lacks other basic items you might find at bigger grocery stores such as toilet paper, toiletries, even some brand name crackers, etc. Also, a couple times now, people have cut me in line in the check-out...which is both odd and annoying. I don't know if that happens at others places... -
Review from aaron k.
Astoria, NY
10/29/2008
My initial reaction was surprise- what isn't in here may be the question. Barber? Check. Tailor? They got it. Full supermarket? Yep. These additional items just serve to supplement the already fantastic array of meats, fish, produce- all which looks fresh and great.
It definitely lacked the bustle I would have expected of a place like this at lunch time; however, it could have just been the weather. Either way, I wish Astoria had a one stop hub like this for all of my shopping and so I could do so while keeping all the money local. -
Review from Alexandra A.
New York, NY
2/11/2010
sooooo perfect to go here when you're running low on some basic fruits and veggies, or just to go and take in the sights and sounds of a real market. This place is fantastic, with it's two meat stands, half a dozen fruits and veggies stands and cheese delicatessen!
There is also an amazing chocolate bar here that's to die for. if you go ... eat a beer and pretzel chocolate in my honor. so yuuuuummmmmm!
